MUSIC REVIEW: Sugar and Spite’ by Unkle Bob

Wednesday

Oct 29, 2008 at 12:01 AMOct 29, 2008 at 6:23 PM

Having heard Unkle Bob as the opener for “James” at the Vic Theater in Chicago last month, I was as much intrigued as I was curious about them. Prior to this, I had zero exposure to them, but the magic opening set left me in awe. There was a familiarity to their sound that was at once reminiscent of early REM, but at the same time had been allowed to evolve in a more acoustic direction. “Sugar and Spite,” the debut wax from this Scottish-based, five-piece band is by far the best 10-buck expenditure one could make on iTunes today.

BILL FERRY

Having heard Unkle Bob as the opener for “James” at the Vic Theater in Chicago last month, I was as much intrigued as I was curious about them. Prior to this, I had zero exposure to them, but the magic opening set left me in awe. There was a familiarity to their sound that was at once reminiscent of early REM, but at the same time had been allowed to evolve in a more acoustic direction. “Sugar and Spite,” the debut wax from this Scottish-based, five-piece band is by far the best 10-buck expenditure one could make on iTunes today.

After diving deeper in to the chasm of aural delight, I began to hear familiar notes. Being the music “geek” that I am, I realized I had heard the song “Swans” used on a soundtrack for an episode of Grey’s Anatomy! (I DID say geek didn’t I?).

Overall the songs here run the gamut from “laid back and lyrical” to “rhythmic and rocky” and all points in between. Rick Webster’s voice though, on the higher end of the register, complements the lilting aspects of the songs featured here just perfectly, and the mellow blend of keyboards, banjo and mandolin gives the tunes a relaxing, ethereal quality. This is music to trigger wonderful memories of quiet walks or moments of relaxing contemplation.
Expect to hear great things in future from this burgeoning band. “Sugar and Spite”? I think I might!
Meditative.